You may not realize that Joyce Carol Oates, the renowned writer of “Them” and “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” is also an active and talented online commentator. Recently, Elon Musk stumbled upon this on his platform, X, and is now embroiled in a dispute with Oates, attempting to assert that he’s not bothered. Here’s what transpired.

Why is Elon Musk displeased with Joyce Carol Oates?

Oates took to X to critique Musk, questioning the joy or significance he derives from life. She stated:

“So intriguing that such a prosperous individual never shares anything that suggests he enjoys or even acknowledges what nearly everyone values—scenes from nature, a pet dog or cat, admiration for a film, music, a book (though I doubt he reads); pride in a friend’s or relative’s achievement; condolences for someone who has passed away; joy in sports, praise for a favored team; allusions to history. In fact, he appears completely uneducated, uncultured. The most impoverished individuals on Twitter may experience more beauty & meaning in life than the ‘wealthiest person in the world.'”

The post gained traction, and Musk didn’t take it well. He replied by calling it “demonstrably false,” branding Oates as “a liar who revels in being cruel,” and asserted that “consuming a bag of sawdust would be far more enjoyable than engaging with the laboriously pretentious nonsense of Oates.”

What’s the current status of the Musk vs. Oates feud?

Though Musk has intermittently shown enjoyment for cultural matters, his feed primarily showcases his businesses, expresses grievances, and discusses political issues. It’s uncommon for him to post about mainstream culture, although he has remarked on Taylor Swift’s private jet and proposed to father a child for her.

Following the incident with Oates, Musk has been attempting to demonstrate his appreciation for various things, responding to movie-related posts with comments like “good movie.” People have been making jokes about how the 87-year-old Oates has impacted Musk, particularly on platforms like Bluesky.

Oates has always been a vigorous online figure, with articles detailing her digital presence. She has previously made controversial posts, including a viral image of her foot affected by poison ivy. Since the initial post, Oates has kept posting about Musk, literature, and cats, sharing her curiosity regarding why an individual with limitless resources displays minimal appreciation for the things most people cherish.

The conflict between Oates and Musk may not be unexpected, but it certainly is entertaining.